Bits of Verse for Christmastide
HE! cold the earth is and dreary — And the winter winds are strong . ! hen the hours of day pass ! uickly — And the nights are dark and long. Then to cheer us
Christmas comes . with joy and song .
When the trees stand bare and leafless
Reaching upward . toward the sky . ! When . at touch of frosty ngers . — Flowers of summer droop a nd die.
Then green garlands .
Christmas wreaths we hang on high .
When the birds . from silent woodlands .
Toward the South . have taken wing.
Then . the wintry stillness thrilling.
Bells of Christmas sweetly ring . And glad voices
Happy Christmas Carols sing .
Day of days ! Our hearts beat gladly
As we greet . year after year.
Christmas . with its glad surprises .
Christmas . with its joy and cheer
! ay of gladness . ! ay of so dear !
NAT! RE ’ S CHRISTMAS M! SIC
IKE a grand old anthem ! rising
Through Cathedral arches . dim .
So . through all the world . is sounding i ’ Christ . our Sav our s natal hymn !
Hark ! the low voice of old Ocean — — Rolling . breaking on the shore .
Glory in the highest . glory
Sound the deep tones . evermore .
Then the stars join in the chorus . Ringing from the midnight sky— — — Glory in the high est glo ry Glory be to God on high !
Peace on earth in softest whisper
This . the message of the snow . Like a blessed benediction
Falling on the earth below .
n - r Pi e t ees . in the fragrant woodland
Linger sweetly on the strain . Ru lin — — st g . murmuring together ! Oh - - . good will . good will to men .
! All earth s mountains . hills . and valleys
Shout for joy the glad refrain .
In sweet harmony . proclaiming ! n - Peace o earth . good will to men .
Let the voices of all people
Rising to the vaulted sky . — Join the universal anthem . ! Glory be to God . on high 1
PROPHECY F! LFILLED
ON! had earth waited for some blessed token That Israel ’ s promised King should soon appear
’ Surely . Jehovah s word could not be broken .
Surely . the time . the promised time drew near .
This was the word of hope the Lord had given
By holy prophets . in the long ago
Lo One shall come . from highest Courts of Heaven
To rule . to bless . to save the world below
Long had been hushed the voice of ancient sages Long had prophetic lips been dumb and still !
But . sounding down . through all the distant ages . ! Thus saith the Lord the words came ringing [stilL
And so earth waited ! and the hosts of glory
Gathered about the battlements above . ! — To watch the unfolding of redemption s story . The wondrous workings of redeeming love !
Nor watched in vain ! for at the time appointed .
In humble garb of flesh . the Saviour came ! Messiah ! Prince of peace ! The Lord ’ s Anointed ! Forever blessed be his Holy Name
THE ANGELS ’ SONG
- — STORY wonderful but true . — A story old . but ever new . I — A sweet . sweet song bring to you . ! Glory in the highest .
In a rude manger . far away
Long . long ago the Saviour lay . - Jesus was born on Christmas da y. Glory in the highest
He came from land afar .
Beyond each distant . twinkling star . — He came . and left the gates ajar .
Then . through those gates . a song poured forth
And softly floated down to earth . A song of joy at Jesus ’ birth
Glory in the highest .
So far away . men did not hear ! ntil the shining ones drew near
i — Sing ng . with voices loud and clear ! Glory in the highest
Shepherds were seated on the ground When 10 ! a light shone all around
And . looking up . they caught the sound
! Fear not . fear not . good news we bring . — To you is born a Saviour King
Good news indeed . well might they sing ! Glory in the highest !
Shepherds ran with eager feet Telling all they chanced to meet ’ Of the angels song . so sweet !
So would we the story tell .
Jesus came . with men to dwell .
! i Hail all ha l . Immanuel . Glory in the highest
A LITTLE BOY ’ S WISH
I’ VE been thinking of the story
Mama told me yesterday .
Of some happy shepherds . living In a country far away ! t in in — And I have been h k g . wishing — That my Papa had been one .
One of those rejoicing shepherds .
I . his happy little son .
When he left our home that evening . ! ! Said Good-night and stroked my head Clasping both my arms about him This is ! hat I would have
Please . Papa . let me go with you .
No . I will not fall asleep . I will keep the lambs from straying
While you watch and guard the sheep .
Then I would have walked beside him .
Through the darkness . all the way
To the fields . where . white and flee cy . Mo ther-sheep and lambkins lay !
And we would have watched them . sleeping .
Sitting close . Papa and I . — — Till the light the so ng the glory
Burst upon us . from the sky .
THE CHRISTMAS STORY
- E HRISTMAS B LLS are ringing .
Ringing joyfully . Hear the echoes sounding Over land and sea Sounding forth the tidings Of that blessed morn ! When . in David s City .
Christ . the Lord was born Far and near Sweet and clear
Let the glad bells ring . While our happy voices
Christmas carols sing .
Oh . we love the s tory Of that blessed night
When . around the shepherds Fell a wondrous light And the song of angels
Sweetly sounded forth .
Glory in the highest . Peace ! Good-will on earth Fear ye not —— Fear ye not
Thus the angel said . Ye shall find the Saviour
! In a manger laid .
GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT J OY
BRING you good tidings . oh . wonderful song
That floated to earth . from the angelic throng ! ! Joy Joy to the world Good tidings . indeed
’ ’ God s infinite gift to man s infinite need .
’ Good news for the young . in life s happiest days . Who walk in the light of the sun ’ s early rays
’ Oh . hear the glad tidings . in life s happy morn . ! ! ! b nto you . sang the angel . a Saviour is orn
Tell the news to the old . who are longing for rest . The daylight is fading away in the west !
Oh . tell them that Jesus . the Saviour has come
To open the doors of a glorious home .
And listen . oh men in the noonday of life .
Mid the din of its battles . the heat of its strife . ! Let the tumult be hushed . let earth s clamor be still .
- And hear the sweet melody . Peace and good will
Oh . let the good tidings ring round the whole earth The blessings that come with Emmanuel ’ s birth
! Shall be to all was the glad word . ! All nations may welcome Messiah . the Lord
CHRISTMAS-TIDE
T CHRISTMAS the sky is cold and gray .
- The nights are lon g and the earth is drear .
And yet we call it the brightest day . The very brightest in all the year !
Listen . the reason you shall hear .
Long . long ago . on a winter night .
Through an opening rift . in the starry sky .
Came a wonderful . glorious light . Radiant gleams from the world on high
Ah too da! ! ling for mortal eye .
’ — For God s own glory filled all the place .
The peaceful pastures of Bethlehem .
’ Fell on each shepherd s upturned face .
Circled each brow . like a diadem . ! Oh . twas a wonderful sight for them
The opening closed in the starry heaven . The wonderful glory passed away ! But not till a message had been given - That brightens earth with its joy to day . A joy that will live in our
This was the The Christ is born . ! Oh . blessed tidings of hope and cheer The Saviour came on the Christm as-m o rn
Therefore we hold it the day most dear .
The very brightest in all the year .
THE FIRST FALL OF SNOW
ECEMBER had come . and the air was chill .
The voice of the wind was loud and shrill . Bu t . now and then . as it grew more faint A sound arose like a sad complaint ! / nd bare A cry from the earth . so brown a ! Where is the garment I used to wear !
’ - Twas given to me in the sprin gtim e ga y. And I ’ ve worn it through many a summer day
A beautiful mantle . green and fair
All dotted with daisies here and there .
I hear the sound of the coming storm .
And I want my mantle to keep me warm . — But now it is gone . and the winter drear - The pitiless winter time is here .
Then the shivering trees took up the cry
Lifting their long . bare arms on high ! They cried . as they tossed in the northern bree e . Give back the leaves to the naked trees
Where are the robes we so proudly wore! Give us our beautiful leaves once more ! V ainly we tried to hold them fast . w w They ere borne a ay on the winter blast .
ll-l kin Some du oo g clouds were hovering near .
They paused for a moment . the cry to hear .
Beckoned for others to listen too . ! ! Then said to each other . What can we do Over the shivering earth below
Let us drop a mantle of soft . white snow !
- It began about tea time . and snowed all night ! And 10 in the morning . a beautiful
A spotless covering . ample and wide . ’ Was spread o er the earth . tucked in on each side . Each tree bore the folds of a warm winter dress And the tall branches bowed in deep thankfulness
While down in the darkness . the flowers . I know .
Gave thanks and rejoiced in the first fall of snow .
THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE YEAR
HE sound of passing footsteps marks the journey
[of the year . We heard it in the sound distinct
[and clear . ! - Twas the falling of the rain drops . making music .
[oh . so sweet
Like the patter . patter . patter of tiny. childish feet .
Again we heard the merry . dancing Bound
Of the welcome summer shower. on the foliage and
[the ground .
How it fell in tuneful measure . summer rain in
[careless glee .
Like the step of youth and maidens . ever joyous .
[glad and free .
The year grew o ld so ! uickly . Soon over field and
[plain . We heard the measured stepping of the steady [Autumn rain - Like the tread of stalwart manhood . firm and fear — [less . brave and strong.
Like the tramp . tramp of an army . marching [steadily along
— ’ But the ! rm steps seem to falter . the year s proud
[strength is gone . - For the frosty . chilling winter . like Old age . comes
[creeping on . ! There s a weary sound of rapping . rapping at my - [window pane . winter-storm As the is beating . hail . and sleet . and— [fro! en rain .
- — Like the patient tapping tapping of an old ’ [man s cane !
ORTH wind . blowing so fast and free .
A Christmas Greeting we send by thee . A kindly thought and a word of cheer
\ T o soldiers and sailors . far and near .
m — o n In vessels and c a ps . sea and land .
Line upon line . our brave men stand
Ready and eager . they wait the call . ! To ! the front . to the front . haste ye all
- To night they are lonely . Thoughts will come - f Of happy days in each far o f home .
Bear to them . winds . as you hover near .
Loving remembrance from hearts sincere .
In dreams . may they hear the notes of song . m - hr n Mingle once more in the dear ho e t o g. Catch the gleam of each smiling face And clasp loved ones in a fond embrace
And oh . may Hope in each heart abide - ! With its light and gladness . this Christmas tide
HEREVER they list
The winds may blow . Eastward or westward—— Ever they go ! AS over our wide-spread l an d th ey roam We bid them stop at each lonely home . r — And leave a g ee ting. a wish . a prayer .
In each home . marked by a vacant chair .
Husband and father .
Brother and son .
A broke n circle . The loved ones gone
Oh . how many dear hearts will grieve ! Lonely and sad . on this Christmas Eve
Angel of Memory .
Faithful and true . ! nnumbered treasures Bring to their view Hours so precious in earlier days ’ — Walking together in life s sunny ways .
Glances of love from true . honest eyes . Tenderest care and
Words of affection . in accents so dear .
Blessed companionship . year after year !
May thoughts of the past . the dark shadows lift . - And memories sweet prove a rich Christmas gift .
HEN we reach the close of another year.
When the Christmas season again draws near . May the clouds of conflict have passed away
With the ushering in of a better day .
! i May a light . like Bethlehem s star . ar se
Scatter the gloom of our darkened skies . Lead us onward through winding ways
Perhaps through stress of sorrowful days .
Through sacrifice . dangers . and grief untold
Still may it shine . like the bright Star of old .
i Gleaming afar . may ts radiance sweet Mark the path for our weary feet
1 — Clouds cannot hide t. mis ts cannot dim
Our faith in God . and our trust in Him !
This is the star . whose wonderful power
i Shall guide and cheer n the darkest hour .
i ! i Its l ght ll safely our footsteps bring .
At last . at last . we shall find the King !
Kin — who The g is waiting the world to bless . Kin — with The g his Sceptre of righteousness .
Kin — wh os e The g dominion never shall cease . The of Peace !